Action Alert From National Peace Action

I’m writing to update you on the swift progress of a bill that seeks to give Netanyahu and his cronies cover for crimes against humanity. Last week, by a vote of 243-198, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 23, a cruel and cynical bill to shield Israel and other U.S. allies from accountability at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Now they are moving swiftly to the Senate.

While the U.S. rewards Israel with $8 billion in brand new weapons transfers, Congress is voting to sanction the International Criminal Court for attempting to stop the human rights violations.

As I mentioned last week this bill is another effort to silence human rights defenders. Anyone who “aids” the ICC in simply “investigating” someone like Netanyahu or the Israeli government – along with their family members – could also be sanctioned. This law could create a chilling effect on peace and rights organizations – that’s by design. It’s also a direct attack on the ICC itself as it investigates and prosecutes human rights crimes by Russia in Ukraine as well as in Myanmar and Sudan.

The Senate vote could come any time now so it’s best to make a call rather than email.

Here's what you can do:

1) Call the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121

2) Ask to be connected to your Senators’ offices (make two calls, one to each senator).

3) Once connected, give them this message (in as much of your own words as possible):

Hello, my name is ______________ and I am a constituent. I urge the Senator to vote NO the "Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act" which is expected to be voted on soon. This bill is clearly designed to shield Bibi Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders from accountability for the horrific war crimes in Gaza. The U.S. should not be putting sanctions on the International Criminal Court for appropriately investigating alleged war crimes by Israeli – and Hamas – leaders. The Senate should not vote to sanction the ICC for doing its job while the U.S. continues to send the weapons used in human rights violations. Such a stance, of enabling human rights violations while protecting the perpetrators, would only harm the reputation of the United States further with the global community.